The touchdown of Singapore Airlines Flight 291 from Singapore into Canberra is a game changer for Canberra’s visitor economy.

VisitCanberra and Cultural Canberra Executive Director Ian Hill today welcomed the start of the four times per week Singapore Airlines’ Capital Express route between Singapore, Canberra and Wellington in New Zealand.

“The flights will bring significant economic and social benefits for the estimated 900,000 people living in the Canberra region across the sectors of tourism, trade, investment, education and regional freight,” he said.

Mr Hill said direct international flights from both Singapore and Wellington, New Zealand, open up new markets.

“Traditionally, the tourism sector has relied in the past on domestic tourism, so these direct flights four times per week will dramatically increase the amount of both inbound tourists from not just Asia but also across Europe.”

Passengers on today’s first flights arriving from Singapore and New Zealand are being greeted with a posie of tulips – promoting the city’s current major event Floriade as well as visitor information packs.

Mr Hill congratulated both Singapore Airlines and Canberra Airport Group for making this historic day a reality and enabling Canberra’s connectivity to the world.

Today’s flights were also welcomed by Tourism Australia Managing Director John O’Sullivan.

“It’s been a long time coming, but this really is a historic moment for the nation’s capital, for the ACT and for Australian tourism. Direct international flights are the game-changer that Canberra has always needed to fully exploit the region’s exceptional visitor appeal.

“VisitCanberra and Canberra Airport, in particular, should be warmly congratulated for the hard work that has gone into securing what is a significant tourism coup. For our own part, Tourism Australia has already been actively promoting the new service in Asia and Europe, and will look to step up our marketing activity now that the new service is up and running.

“Singapore Airlines is one of our longest standing international airline partners, and this is further evidence of their strong and growing commitment to Australia.”